Bristol gritted her teeth. “They bled me dry and manipulated me into signing horrible contracts that made them a ton of money and left me with very little.”

“But look at what all you have. You have everything.”

Bristol’s lips curled into an angry smile. “Lizzy had to fight for everything. I didn’t start making money until I turned twenty. My first contract was for three albums and three tours, and I saw very little profit. When Top Shelf saw I was on the rise, they bowed to me, but not before taking so much of me.” Bristol slid out of the booth to grab waters from the refrigerator. “And they aren’t the only ones to blame. I got too big, and now I’m living a very sheltered life. I would love to pump my own gas or go pick up a gallon of milk from the grocery store, but I can’t because everyone knows who I am.”

Annie put her hands flat on the table. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but other celebrities have lives where they get out and do things. Even Leonardo DiCaprio goes to get coffee. And Angela Jolie goes shopping in Beverly Hills. I’ve seen their pics all over the internet and in magazines. I’m not trying to say you don’t have it bad, but I think you have to trust the world a little bit more. And maybe go places where they either know you well enough to leave you alone or somewhere where nobody knows you at all.”

“Like where?”

Annie didn’t miss a beat. “LA, New York. The same places all those other famous people go out. I’m sorry a child got hurt, but I’m guessing that was in a smaller town where they don’t have many celebrities.”

Bristol thought about it. Annie was right. “Okay. But there’s still paparazzi everywhere.”

“You just need somebody to go with you. Lizzy’s worthless. I’m sorry, but I feel like a part of her gaslights you so she can always be around to save you. Not a Lizzy fan anymore, by the way.”

Bristol had always thought her relationship with Lizzy was solid, but Annie brought up interesting points. She didn’t think Lizzy was gaslighting her, but knew she was overprotective. “She’s just protecting me, but I get what you’re saying. It’s time for her and me to take a break.”

“Are you really going to walk away from Top Shelf?” Annie asked softly.